Decarbonisation Technology August 2026 Issue

optimise feedstocks, processing routes, and certification strategies to maximise value. Without digital PCF systems, capturing this value becomes labour-intensive and time-consuming. Static, manual calculations are insufficient in the context of dynamic credit markets and evolving regulatory frameworks, where both precision and speed are required. In this environment, digital PCF capability

Data validation

Calculation rules

PCF calculation & analytics engine

Scenario modelling

Reporting

Cloud layer

Data lake

Integration services

Production information systems

Environmental & sustainability systems

Laboratory information systems

Enterprise IT systems

Maintenance & asset systems

Level 4

IT system OT system Level 3

DMZ

OT Operations management layer (System management, Network management, OT services)

System interface nodes

Level 2

DCS/SCADA systems

Field & control devices

Level 0-1

Figure 3 What ‘good’ digital PCF looks like (architecture)

is a prerequisite for participating competitively in emerging low-carbon markets. What good digital PCF architecture looks like Organisations that successfully transition PCF into decision-making infrastructure tend to converge around three core capabilities (see Figure 3 ):  Automated, governed data pipelines : A unified data foundation that integrates and automates carbon-relevant data flows across systems, with embedded validation and traceability.  Centralised PCF calculation engine : A scalable calculation layer that replaces fragmented models, ensures consistency in methodology, and adapts to multiple regulatory requirements.  PCF-ready analytics and forecasting: A structured platform for versioning, comparing, and forecasting PCFs, enabling scenario analysis and integration with operational decision- making tools. The objective is to embed carbon considerations directly into operational and commercial workflows. Building the business case from concept to implementation In a recent downstream implementation, a large operator faced a PCF process characterised by

numerous manual intervention points within a varied and complex organisational structure. These included data reconciliation, cross-system validation and spreadsheet-based calculations, often involving repeated data transfers between systems. Such processes limit scalability and introduce risk, particularly in the context of increasing regulatory requirements. In practice, organisations typically converge on two broad digitalisation pathways, reflecting different levels of ambition and complexity. Pathway A: Automated spreadsheet-based workflows This approach focuses on automating existing workflows without fundamentally changing calculation methods. Data pipelines are established to feed consistent inputs into centralised spreadsheet models, enabling reduced manual effort, improved data consistency, and basic scenario analysis. It represents a lower-cost, lower-risk entry point with minimal disruption to existing processes. Pathway B: Full LCA platform integration This approach replaces spreadsheet-based calculations with a centralised LCA engine built around specialised or proprietary software. Key characteristics include governed calculation environments, standardised methodologies